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INFANTILE ANEURYSM OF THE DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS: Diagnosis, Incidence, Pathogenesis, and Prognosis
Author(s) -
HEIKKINEN ERKKI S.,
Ä SEPPO SIMIL,
LAITINEN JUHANI,
LARMI TEUVO
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1974.tb04791.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ductus arteriosus , pathogenesis , incidence (geometry) , aneurysm , cardiology , pediatrics , radiology , physics , optics
Abstract. Heikkinen, E. S., Similä, S., Laitinen, J. and Larmi, T. (Departments of Surgery, Paediatrics and Roentgenology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland). Infantile aneurysm of the ductus arteriosus. Acta Paediat Scand, 63:241, 1974.–A neoplastic‐like density on X‐ray is not a rare diagnostic problem in infancy. Nevertheless, knowledge about the infantile ductal aneurysm (IDA) producing a characteristic tumour‐like mediastinal shadow on plain chest film is very limited. In 1972 the authors operated two newborns because of left‐sided tumour‐like mediastinal shadows produced by IDA. A very similar radiographic mass according to location, shape and opacity could he discerned retrospectively on the chest films of 10 other neonates in a material of 1 138 newborn babies, who had been radiographed mainly for respiratory troubles. Apparently the IDA is not so rare as considered in the literature. The patients presented herein were found during their first day tb have inadequate ventilation, a low Apgar score and respiratory acidosis. Therefore postnatal hypoxaemia was considered the most probable primary factor in the pathogenesis of IDA. A follow‐up examination at the age of 6–24 months showed that the typical tumour‐like mediastinal shadow had disappeared also in the non‐operated patients. A spontaneous, uncomplicated involution seems to he the most usual outcome of IDA. HOWever, according to the literature IDA is a potentially dangerous abnormality. It calls for meticulous observation since surgical intervention is indispensable if fatal complications seem imminent.